CSA IN THE NEWS

2017/18

September 18, 2018

The Dialog: No room for compromise

Post-secondary institutions enable opportunities for thought and discussion, diversifying the academic experience outside of the classroom. However, the mandated introduction of a free speech policy in Ontario’s post-secondary system omitted those directly affected by this policy—post-secondary students. Student leaders, specifically members of on-campus student associations, must be meaningfully involved throughout the policy development process and in the subsequent conversations regarding recommendations to improve the policies.

CTV Toronto: ‘We are not apathetic’: 3.5 million voters in the Ontario election are under 25

According to the most recent census, there are over 3.5 million Ontario residents – and potential voters --between the ages of 18 and 25. This age group, once called apathetic, is now a driving force in politics. As seen in the 2015 federal elections, where 57.1 per cent of youth showed up to the polls, young people can make or break a campaign. This surge in political participation was an 18.3 percentage point increase from the 2011 federal elections.

Budget 2018, does have language to reduce the contributions that spouses and parents of students are expected to make towards tuition. While not yet clear on details, the government said the change will allow for students from middle‐income families to more easily qualify for OSAP grants and loans. Abdullah Mushtaq, director of advocacy for the College Student Alliance (CSA), said that what was announced for OSAP in the 2018 budget, “is basically what was already said in 2016 and 2017” and that the new piece is how parental and spousal income is going to be less of a factor.

The College Task Force will develop a forward-looking plan that supports the delivery of high-quality career-focused postsecondary education and training through Ontario's publicly assisted colleges. College Student Alliance has two representatives on the Task Force: Abdullah Mushtaq and Aimee Calma.

The Gazette: Ontario government to invest $2.1 billion in mental health

According to Tulk, OUSA partnered with the College Student Alliance, Colleges Ontario and Council of Ontario Universities to release a joint publication outlining mental health issues and recommendations. Published last November, Tulk said a number of the recommendations were implemented in the Ontario government’s mental health investment plans. For example, Ontario will be looking into mental health transition programming for high school students going on to post-secondary education. Further, the government will ensure that students continue to have support available in university.

For students, finding that particular job and then actually getting it are two different challenges. Networking helps in both aspects. Some reports estimate anywhere between 60 and 80 per cent of all summer jobs are on the hidden market, meaning they’re never advertised. Turning to those around you, whether it’s friends or even past co-workers, is always a solid plan. “Keeping those connections warm, reaching out if you know someone who worked for the field that you might like, just to reach out and say “Hi” and see what’s going on,” said Aimee Calma, president of the College Student Alliance. If reaching out feels a little awkward, Calma said it’s important to reframe how you see you networking.

CBC News: Confederation College celebrates $59K contribution to United Way

"At Confederation College it's clear we have big hearts and believe in building a positive community culture," said Jodi Alfonso, President of the Student Union. She also stated that this year's partnership between the student union and Confederation College has earned them provincial recognition from the College Student Alliance (CSA) as they were given the Landmark Award.

The Globe and Mail: Ten per cent of Ontario college students withdraw from semester following strike

"The withdraw numbers released today are proof this option was necessary for thousands of students. Students didn't sign up for an extended semester, or condensed courses," said Emmaline Scharbach, the communications manager for the College Student Alliance.

Toronto Star: Ten per cent of college students drop out after teachers’ strike

Ten per cent of full-time college students — or about 25,700 — have dropped out rather than return to class following a lengthy strike by their teachers. And even though “the vast majority … chose to stay and finish the semester,” post-secondary Minister Deb Matthews said for those “who did decide to withdraw, we hope you return to college.

A collaborative report, In It Together: Taking Action on Student Mental Health, was recently released as a call to the Province for greater action regarding the challenges and difficulties pertaining to mental health which continues to increase among students in Ontario.

The Globe and Mail: Ontario college strike could cost some students places in programs

College students could lose their entire academic year and not get back into the programs in which they are currently enrolled if they drop courses as a result of the five-week strike in Ontario this fall, students across the province are being told by their colleges.

From career entrance exams to required hands-on training, Ontario college students are left struggling to catch up after a five-week strike by faculty that has forced semesters to be extended to make up for lost time.

City News: Ottawa offers options to international students after college strike

Ontario’s college students may be back in the classrooms after a record breaking five-week strike but, for some, there’s still some uncertainty over their future. An international student attending Humber College told CityNews the school’s latest email was putting her in a difficult position. Part of that email she shared, read “If you withdraw, we recommend that you leave Canada.”

A new report is pushing the Ontario government to provide free mental health care for post-secondary students.

The In It Together report which was supported by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), Colleges Ontario, Council of Ontario Universities, and the College Student Alliance (CSA) makes 26 recommendations including that the province formally recognize post-secondary students as a priority group, separate from children, youth and adults.“We need to have the government recognize post-secondary students as their own population,” said Ariana Chasse, vice-president of the CSA.

Dir. of Advocacy for the College Student Alliance, Abdullah Mushtaq has all the details about the end of the strike. Students have two weeks to decide if they to cancel their semester and get a refund.

CP24: Students who withdraw from college due to strike will get full tuition refund: province

The province has announced that full-time Ontario college students who decide to withdraw from school as a result of the five-week faculty strike will be given a full tuition refund. The announcement was made by the Ontario government on Monday morning.

CBC News: Conestoga College students to be back in class Tuesday morning

Conestoga College students will be back in the classroom Tuesday morning after the provincial government passed back-to-work legislation Sunday to end a five-week faculty strike. The government introduced the bill Friday after faculty rejected the employer's last offer by 86 per cent.

The Globe and Mail: Back-to-work bill passes, sending Ontario college faculty back to class Tuesday

College students in Ontario will head back to class on Tuesday after the provincial government passed back-to-work legislation ending a five-week-long strike by professors. The law, which came into force on Sunday after rare weekend sittings of the legislature, marks the first time in the 50-year-history of the province's colleges that striking faculty have been forced back to work. The bill passed third reading in a 39-18 vote, supported by the Liberals and Tories and opposed by the New Democrats.

Ontario legislated college faculty back to work on Sunday, ending a five-week strike and paving the way for students to return to class on Tuesday. Colleges are extending their semesters so students don’t lose their terms, but trying to condense five missed weeks into roughly two extra ones will be very stressful, student advocates say.

“It’s going to be a very busy rest of the semester for students,” said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance. “They have indicated to us that they are very frustrated.”

Toronto Star: College students back in class Tuesday after MPPs order end strike

After three days of delays, Liberal government and Progressive Conservative MPPs joined forces Sunday to order 12,000 striking college teachers — and their students — back to class over NDP objections. Faculty report for work Monday and 500,000 students follow Tuesday to jump-start a semester stalled five weeks ago by what became the longest college strike in Ontario history.

Ontario legislated college faculty back to work on Sunday, ending a five-week strike and paving the way for students to return to class on Tuesday. Colleges are extending their semesters so students don't lose their terms, but trying to condense five missed weeks into roughly two extra ones will be very stressful, student advocates say.

"It's going to be a very busy rest of the semester for students," said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance. "They have indicated to us that they are very frustrated."

The Dialog: College faculty strike ends as back to work legislation passes

Legislation to force Ontario college faculty back into their classrooms passed today, with a vote of 39-18, ending the strike that began on Oct. 16. The Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Labour Dispute Resolution Act was introduced by the government on Nov. 16 after talks between the bargaining teams of the faculty and colleges did not produce a deal. The legislation prohibits a continuation of the strike or an employer lockout while the two sides go through binding arbitration.

Renfrew Today: College Student Alliance Weighs In on Strike After NDP Blocks Back To Work Legislation

College students won’t be back in classrooms as soon as they may have hoped. After the College Employer Council imposed a forced vote on the latest contract offer, 86 per cent of voters rejected the contract, and 95 per cent of those registered, came out to cast a ballot. President of the College Student Alliance, Joel Willett, says stories keep piling in about students who won’t be returning after the break, or students facing roadblocks due to the strike.

Matthews said she has met with student leaders from the College Student Alliance for advice. "I'm looking for the best ideas about how to make sure this reinvestment directly benefits students who have faced hardship."

The Dialog: Government orders colleges to create hardship fund for students

This announcement comes a day after a meeting with the College Student Alliance (CSA), who represents approximately 97,000 college students in Ontario at 13 different student associations. “We understand that this isn’t going to be a solution that will fix all the problems that this strike has caused and we are still encouraging the college employer council and OPSEU to get back to the table, agree to binding arbitration, and get a deal done this weekend,” said CSA.

CP24: Fund to be set up for students facing ‘financial hardship’ during college strike

On Thursday, president of the College Student Alliance Joel Willet told CP24 that students are becoming increasingly anxious about how they will complete this semester. “Everybody did say we are expecting to be out three weeks roughly and then we should expect a settlement, but as this continues to drag on with only really one major issue on the table, it’s become just overwhelming for students,” Willet said.

Ottawa Citizen: Money that colleges save during the faculty strike will go to students hurt by dispute, says Ontario minister

Ontario colleges will have to put all the money they are saving during the faculty strike into a fund to help students who are being hurt by it, says Deb Matthews, the minister for Advanced Education and Skills Development.

Nugget.ca: 'Students have been in the middle of this strike for too long and it's just not fair'

Ontario colleges are being required to establish a dedicated fund with all savings from the strike to support students who have experienced financial hardships as a result of the job action, Deb Matthews, minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, announced today.

Centennial College Student Association Inc. Board member Lovey and CSA President Joel Willett speak with CP24 Breakfast about how the ongoing faculty strike is negatively impacting students in Ontario.

National Post: Talks to resume Thursday in Ontario college strike, minister says: 'Students should be back in the classroom'

Several hundred students gathered at the Ontario legislature Wednesday to urge the parties to get back to the table. But Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance, which organized the demonstration, said their message shifted when they discovered talks will resume.

“Now the pressure is on to get a deal done before the middle of next week,” he said. “If they don’t have a deal in place by the middle of next week then we would … demand that an arbitrator be brought in to make a deal happen.”

Abdullah Mushtaq, director of advocacy for the College Student Alliance, joins Melanie to talk about the student rally planned today where students will show their concerns about the current college strike.

College students are now worried about the possibility of losing their semester as a strike by their teachers enters its third week. With the job action dragging on, they are also worried that in order to save the school year, it could instead be extended — adding to their expenses and interfering with job plans.

In a written statement, the president of the College Student Alliance says though a college semester has never been lost because of a faculty strike, students are increasingly concerned about this becoming a reality.

As the college teacher's strike enters week three with no end in sight, a group representing students will rally this week at Queen's Park. The College Student Alliance have a rally planned for Wednesday afternoon outside the legislature to put pressure on the province to kickstart contract talks.

Toronto Star: Students worry as Ontario college strike hits third week

College students are now worried about the possibility of losing their semester as a strike by their teachers enters its third week. With the job action dragging on, they are also worried that in order to save the school year, it could instead be extended — adding to their expenses and interfering with job plans. A protest and rally are planned for Wednesday at Queen’s Park.

The College Student Alliance, which represents student unions at 16 colleges, can see that too. It's planning a rally at Queen's Park next Wednesday at 1 p.m. Conestoga Students Inc. is posting sign-up lists for the rally and will provide buses to take frustrated students into Toronto to take part. Conestoga has 14,000 full-time students and 32,000 in continuing education. There could be a lot of interest in attending the rally.

To Ontario college students, the strike by unionized faculty threatens their immediate future. To many college faculty, life is a hamster wheel of multiple contracts, as they pursue full-time status offered to them less and less.“Even 10 years ago, it was a very different story,” Ryan Mercer said on Monday, as picketers watched entrances to Centennial College’s Progress Campus in Scarborough.

New Hamburg Independent: College faculty strike barrels toward third week

The College Student Alliance, which represents student unions at 16 colleges, can see that too. It's planning a rally at Queen's Park next Wednesday at 1 p.m. Conestoga Students Inc. is posting sign-up lists for the rally and will provide buses to take frustrated students into Toronto to take part. Conestoga has 14,000 full-time students and 32,000 in continuing education. There could be a lot of interest in attending the rally.

Students at Conestoga College plan to rally at Queen’s Park next Wednesday. The College Student Alliance is organizing the event on Nov. 1 and is asking students from Ontario’s other colleges to join them.

Students at Conestoga College plan to rally at Queen’s Park next Wednesday. The Conestoga [Students Inc. and} College Student Alliance [are] organizing the event on November 1st and are asking students from Ontario’s other colleges to join them.

Peterborough Examiner: Ontario community college teachers strike frustrates students at Fleming College in Peterborough

The College Student Alliance (CSA) has stepped in demanding both sides get back to the table. The alliance advocates on behalf on Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Joel Willett, president of CSA, said students want to know that conversations are happening and that the parties aren't going to just walk away if they don't like a proposal put forward.

Global News: Fleming College president says students shouldn’t be anxious about faculty strike

The lack of available counsellors is a cause for concern for the president of Fleming’s student council. “Students have now lost the opportunity to have one-on-one counselling when they need it, especially when they’re in crisis,” said Joel Willett.

Faculty members — including full-time professors, instructors who teach anywhere from seven to 12 hours a week, counsellors and librarians — walked off the job first thing Monday, after the bargaining team for the province’s 24 public colleges rejected the union’s final offer.

For students, the job action has already been “absolutely confusing … what the strike means to students varies from one campus to another and depends on the program, said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance.

For students, the job action has already been “absolutely confusing … what the strike means to students varies from one campus to another and depends on the program, said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance.

A student group says it's “frustrated” by the strike by faculty members at Ontario's 24 community colleges.

The 12,000 faculty members, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), went on strike at midnight Monday after a deal could not be reached with the College Employers Council (CEC).